The peel makes up about 35 per cent of the fruit. And, by using it, you are not only minimising food waste, but also bringing in some vitamins and minerals to your diet.

If you decide to give it a try, make sure you pick a ripe banana, as the peel will be thinner and sweeter. (Source: Getty/Thinkstock)

Let’s admit it, the thought of eating the banana peel makes us feel queasy. That’s because we have always viewed the peel as a by-product of the fruit. After eating the banana, we toss the peel in the dustbin, unaware of its many magical properties. The bigger question, then, remains: should we be eating the peel?

Not many people know that the peel makes up about 35 per cent of the fruit. And, by using it, you are not only minimising food waste, but also bringing in some vitamins and minerals to your diet. The peel is also rich in other key nutrients like potassium, dietary fibre and essential amino acids — all of which are known to boost heart health, stabilise the blood sugar levels, protect and strengthen the bones, and reduce the risk of kidney stones.

Experts say that the peel also helps treat adult acne, and does other kinds of wonders on the skin.

How to eat it

If you decide to give it a try, make sure you pick a ripe banana, as the peel will be thinner and sweeter. Skin and wash it, and then put it in the blender to make a smoothie of it. Alternatively, you can also bake, boil or fry the peel. This will help in softening its texture.

Like everything, this one, too, has a catch: the use of pesticides. While it doesn’t affect the fruit as much, it definitely does affect the peel. The exposure to pesticide could up the risk of cancer, diabetes, dementia, high BP, autism, among others.